The hateful intent of the two short words scratched on my car was clear. The only thing clearer was the response as the people of Scotland rallied around my family
– Sabir Zazai, head of the Scottish Refugee Council
This is my family’s third Christmas in Scotland. We survived the Beast from the East, we use “wee” to refer to little things and a cup of coffee without a Tunnock’s caramel wafer is unimaginable!
Moving to a place I knew little about was frightening at the beginning but, thanks to the hospitable nature of Scots, it wasn’t long before we had many friends. The weather was as cold as I was warned but the people could not have been warmer. That’s what made the racism we endured last week so hard to accept. I won’t repeat the two short, awful words scratched on my car, but their hateful intent was clear.
The only thing clearer, in fact, was the response. In person and on social media, we had hundreds of messages of support from people I have never met or may never meet, saying how sorry they were and that this was not a Scotland they recognise. The First Minister offered her best wishes while others asked if they help pay for repairs to the car. Others simply asked if I would like to meet for a cup of tea.
To me, it was the clearest possible evidence that Scots and Scotland will not allow hatred, racism and bigotry to be normalised at any levels.
The racist abuse we suffered was unnerving but for me the safety and stability came from the values of community and hope expressed by my fellow Scots. It was a real source of reassurance that the society in which I live and bring up my children is one that stands up firm in the face of racism and injustice wherever we find it. We are going through an era of great political change. It is therefore important that we talk to one another, respect differences, and each other’s values and principles. And, just like the response I received in Scotland, we must not be complacent to racism. I came to the UK in December 1999 to seek asylum from the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. I was dispersed to Coventry where I lived up until 2017. In September 2017, I moved here to take up the position of chief executive with the Scottish Refugee Council. After leaving my family in war- torn Afghanistan, this was the second-biggest decision for me to uproot the family and leave all my friends and networks behind for a new life in Scotland. Every day in my work I observe a rich tapestry of people from all backgrounds working together to make a fairer and just society for all. I believe the world should come to Scotland to learn from that shared vision and common good to help address current challenges and uncertainties.
The UK in particular has a lot to learn from Scotland and it must interact more now than ever before with Scotland’s values and i ts many i nstitutions, including the Scottish Parliament, which has become the centre of political and civic life.
This country, with its values of community, courage and hope can play a leading role in the process of reimagining the UK following the uncertainties and divisions of the last decade.
But Scotland also has its issues and is by
‘ Scots and Scotland will not allow hatred, racism and bigotry to be normalised at any level
no means immune from racism and there is no room for complacency.
It is our shared responsibility to fight racism wherever we find it and work together for a country where everyone feels safe, valued and respected irrespective of their background or identify. And the best way to do this is through face-toface communication.
In Scotland, we are fortunate to have platforms such as the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy, the Scottish Leaders Forum and the many other public and third- sector forums that create opportunities for dialogue, vision- setting and a shared journey towards building a better Scotland for all.
We must hold on to our values and nurture our longstanding tradition of welcome and hospitality. The warm Scottish welcome is as important to those trying to build new lives here as it is to Scotland’s global image as a welcoming nation.
There are practical examples of local communities reaching out to welcome people seeking sanctuary. For instance, when the UK agreed to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees, all 32 Scottish l ocal authorities took part in the programme and are now proud of their new Scots and everything they bring to enrich their new homes.
So if you have a neighbour who has recently arrived to seek protection in Scotland, meet them over coffee. You will be amazed at how much you have in common.
There are always better ways to discuss our differences. You are always welcome for a cuppa at the Scottish Refugee Council.